April 22
1903 – The American League’s New York Highlanders, the relocated Baltimore Orioles, make their debut in Washington, losing to the Senators by a score of 3-1. Jack Chesbro is charged with the loss for New York.
1959 – In Griffith Stadium, the New York Yankees’ Whitey Ford pitches 14 innings, striking out 15 Senators. Bill Skowron‘s solo homer gives the Yanks a 1-0 win.
Senators Birthdays
Steve Jones B April 22, 1941 Still living
Pitching just 3 years in the major leagues, Steve started his career with the Chicago White Sox in 1967 and came to the Senators, along with Ron Hansen and Dennis Higgins in a trade for Tim Cullen, Buster Harum and Bob Priddy. In 1969 he would play for the Kansas City Royals.
John Orsino B April 22, 1938 D Nov. 1, 2016
John Orsino played for 7 years in the majors with the San Francisco Giants, Baltimore Orioles and finished his career with the Washington Senators in 1966 & 1967. John was a catcher who could also fill in at 1st base.
Bob Schmidt B April 22, 1933 D May 2, 2015
A career catcher, Bob also spent 7 years in the majors with the Giants, Reds, Senators and Yankees.
Mickey Vernon B April 22, 1918 D Sep. 24, 2008
To the “Washington faithful” Mickey Vernon needs no introduction. A career 1st baseman, Mickey played the majority of his 20 year career with the original Senators. Mickey was a 7 time All Star, Batting Champ in 1946 & 1953 and led the league in doubles in 1946, 1953 & 1954.
Mickey started his career with the Senators in 1939 and played in Washington until 1943 when his career was interrupted due to military service during WWII. Returning to the Senators in 1946 until 1948, he spent a brief period in Cleveland (1949 & part of 1950) before coming back to DC where he was with the Senators through 1955. He finished his career with the Milwaukee Braves and the Pittsburgh Pirates, ending his playing days in 1960.
Mickey Vernon would return to Washington in 1961 as the manager of the expansion Senators. It was Mickey’s misfortune to be saddled with one of the most inept expansion franchises ever assembled. The 1961 Senators would finish with a record of 61-100, tied for 9th (and last) place in the 10-team league. The 1962 team would finish at 60-101, solidly in last place. On May 22 of 1963, with the Senators at 14-26, Vernon would be fired. He’d be replaced for 1 game by interim manager Eddie Yost and ultimately by Gil Hodges, who would remain at the helm through the end of the 1967 season.
